New Film Festival Asks: What Does Being Free Mean to You?

The inaugural Let's All Be Free Film Festival 2013 will be exploring and celebrating what 'being free' means to people all over the world - with a weekend of fearless and fascinating short films; guest speakers including Amnesty International, Liberty and Kim Longinotto; panel discussions; Q&As; spoken word; music; and events including an Opening Night Gala.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130319/601869 )

And in keeping with the ethos - the entire festival is free to attend!

Where: Brunei Gallery, SOAS, Russell Square, central London

When: Fri 5^th - Sun 7^thApril 2013

Launched by award-winning Palestinian-American filmmaker Tariq Nasir and his independent film production company Unusuality Productions, the festival brings together filmmakers, film-lovers, human rights campaigners, academics and members of the public yearning to engage in the universal debate around 'freedom'.

The festival is a forum where creative and diverse voices can explore freedom's many definitions and implications, whilst celebrating cinematic expression.

The debate seeps into social, philosophical, economic, and political discourse at every turn, so we pose the important question - what does it really mean to be free?

The festival will screen 37 superb new films exploring what it means to be free, including 18 world and international premieres. Highlights include the recent BAFTA nominee The Voorman Problem starring Martin Freeman; a witty transgender romance starring Heidi Heaslet (New Girl); a documentary about Martin Luther King, Jr., which was recently screened before President Obama and features former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell; an explosive artistic collaboration between Dutch artist Frank Vroegop and Radiohead; and a moving portrayal of life for gay U.S. military members.

The festival will also host speakers including Amnesty International's Advocacy Director Steve Crawshaw; renowned filmmaker Kim Longinotto (director of new release Salma); Sophie Farthing from human rights organisation Liberty; Prof. Richard Disney, economist and former adviser to the World Bank; and Sean Baine, chair of The Equality Trust. Plus - celebrated spoken word artist Charlie Dupré will also be performing.

This bold film festival is already courting controversy by choosing to screen the new Bulgarian film Botev Is An Idiot, a short fiction film about Bulgaria's national hero Hristo Botev, which recently had its screening at the Sofia International Film Festival threatened with sabotage by the Botev football club - who also wrote to the mayor and Ministry of Culture demanding that the film be pulled from the festival.

"How people perceive 'being free' can be deeply personal, passionate and provocative," Tariq Nasir says. "We are ready to screen powerful ideas and images."

For more information / all press enquiries:
Stephanie Robinson - Producer & Press Liaison
+44(0)20-3617-9141
[email protected]

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